Jan 11, 2020
PLYMOUTH, N.H -- The Eastern Connecticut State University women' s basketball team converted six of its first eight shots to take an early 11-point lead on the way to a 67-40 Little East Conference victory over Plymouth State University Saturday afternoon at Foley Gymnasium.
Eastern's (11-2, 5-0 LEC) seventh straight win this year and 17th straight over eight seasons against Plymouth (3-9, 0-5 LEC) keeps the Warriors a half-game behind LEC leader Rhode Island College (6-0), which blasted visiting Keene State College, 72-38, Saturday.
Senior forward Mya Villard (Cromwell) opened and closed an opening 13-2 run over five minutes with inside baskets, and senior guard Lizzy Cretella (Cheshire) and sophomore forward Anna Barry (Andover) each contributed two baskets in that stretch as the Warriors down the Panthers for the 35th time in the last 36 meetings.
Eastern led from start to finish in winning its ninth road game without a loss this year.
Villard led all players with 18 points. She added seven rebounds, with Cretella grabbing a career-high ten rebounds in helping Eastern to a +15 advantage on the boards.
Barry had 15 points and freshman forward Mariah Dunn (Meriden) 14 off the bench. Led by Barry (7-of-7) and Dunn (8-of-9), the Warriors sank 22 of 24 from the foul line.
Villard's point total moves her into fourth place all-time ahead of Eastern Hall of Famer Missy Kowolenko with 1,440 points, six behind Jordyn Nappi.
Eastern hosts Emmanuel College Monday at 7 p.m. in a non-conference game before hosting Rhode Island College Wednesday at 4 p.m.